đ 18th Annual SMF Defined âRefreshingâ â Literally!
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The saying is âNo rainbows without rainâ and we had it all at the Sourland Mountain Fest. |
After rain comes the rainbow, and it was gorgeous! |
It was a typical hot summer day when a pop-up storm cooled us off - then decided to stick around, but the sellout crowd didnât bat an eye and the dancing commenced.
Photo courtesy of David Ziegler
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This yearâs music lineup was amazing! All bands performed their magic and kept attendees moving. It was such a great sight, and a particularly neat moment was when the Gumbo Gumbas were playing through the rain â it definitely felt like we were in New Orleans for a while! Reminisce on some fest sounds, courtesy of David Ziegler HERE
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The Lenape Nation of PA mesmerized the crowd with their Drum Circle, and crafts & business vendors, educational exhibitors, and food and drink vendors kept busy. |
Folks from Hopewellâs Sault Haus Healing Arts Studio provided a refreshing stretch and attendees flocked to Wildspawn Mushroomâs table to learn more about identifying and foraging for treats in their backyards. And over 90 children participated in the Scavenger Hunt, and all attendees were smiling and seemed to have a great rain-or-shine time. |
Chef Chris' Ryland Inn team provided a most delicious variety of food for our VIP attendees, many of whom complimented the delicious spread as they imbibed under the big tent. A huge thank you to the Ryland Inn for again graciously providing such a great VIP experience for the âfest!
Our volunteers were awesome and worked hard to ensure everyone had the Best possible Fest. Besides the day of the Fest, they were there helping with set-up and clean-up.
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We thank our Business Partners and Donors whose support helped make the SMF a successful fundraising event, enabling the Sourland Conservancy to continue to offer educational events to the surrounding community and provide stewardship training to preserve and protect the 90-square mile area of Central New Jersey's precious Sourland Mountain. There are many ways you can help, consider becoming a member today - CLICK HERE.
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Sourland Conservancy members provide critical financial support to help us accomplish our stewardship, educational, and advocacy goals. If you are a member, thank you! If not, please join us.
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Sourland Stew Crew
First and third Friday each month at 9:00 am
August 4 at Somerset County Sourland Mountain Preserve
August 18 at Otto's Farm Park
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Our hearty Stew Crew volunteers meet 2x month to maintain our planted sites, remove invasive plants, pull weeds, and enjoy nature together. No experience necessary.
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"A Mini Meadow and More" Stewardshop
July 29, 2023
Our Stewardship Committee Co-Chair is hosting a small group âStewardshopâ on his Hopewell Township property next Saturday, July 29th. Participants will see his mini meadow in full bloom and hear about his future native annual garden. Additionally, participants will learn to identify common invasive species, like Autumn Olive and stiltgrass, and the best removal methods. Preparations for fall planting and deer management will also be covered. Bring your questions!
Admission is free, but registration is required. Donations are always greatly appreciated
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"Just a Walk" with Laurie Cleveland
August 23, 2023
Otto's Farm Park
Join us for a casual walk with our Executive Director, Laurie Cleveland at Ottoâs Farm Park and explore a new trail or rediscover a trail with us, as a group. Together, weâll walk the trail at a leisurely pace to observe the forest and fields around us.
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Sourland Spectacular
September 9, 2023
The Watershed Institute
Register today for the 12th annual Sourland Spectacular cycling rally! Routes will begin and end at The Watershed Institute. Visit the website to learn more about the swag, prizes, bike rentals, and more.
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This Month on the Blog... |
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Our very own Director of Membership and Development, Dave Cucchiara, writes a detailed review of the book The Ecology of Commerce by Paul Hawken.
"He flawlessly unites ecology and commerce,"ï»ż
Read Dave's full book review on our Sourland Niche Blog post, and find out if he recommends this book!
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Save the Date: âJust a Walk" with our Executive Director Laurie Cleveland! |
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Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:00 pm
Otto's Farm Park
Entrance Parking: Otto's Farm Park, located at the intersection of Wertsville & Montgomery Roads.
GPS coordinates: 40.47829184689949, -74.75344017466918
Join us for a casual walk with our Executive Director, Laurie Cleveland at Ottoâs Farm Park and explore a new trail or rediscover a trail with us, as a group. Together, weâll walk the trail at a leisurely pace to observe the forest and fields around us.
Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring your own bottle of water and weâll be on our way!
Donations are appreciated. Participants must register and sign a waiver to attend the hike. To show our gratitude, you will receive a first-edition Trail Atlas with your âday ofâ donation.
Please leave your pets at home for this walk.
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Sourland Speaker Series Will Be Back This Fall â With a Twist! |
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The Sourland Conservancy will continue to host our annual education series this fall. Previously held at the Hopewell Train Station, we have decided to take the program on the road this year. Taking our show "on the road" will help us reach more people all around the Sourlands. We're also working to implement a hybrid model, so attendees can choose to participate in person or online. Talks will take place at the Titusville Presbyterian Church and Duke Farms, among other places throughout the Sourland Region. We have some exciting speakers lined up, including local artists, native tree and birds of prey experts, the African American connection to our lands, and more!
We will also be changing the name of our series since we are moving on from the Train Station - stay tuned!
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Sourland Spectacular 2023: Register Today! |
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The $65 registration fee (plus processing) for the September 9th event includes light breakfast, one lunch entree and one beer ticket, dessert (brownies & ice cream), snacks along the route and a fun swag item. Early bird registration is $50 (plus processing) until August 17. Regular registration will continue until September 9.
Proceeds from the event will help support our tremendous forest restoration effort, now underway.
Thanks for your continuing support.
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This year we are offering a new challenge for our riders! Riders can opt to be sponsored and those who solicit $200 or more will receive a jersey commemorating the event - CLICK HERE TO JOIN!
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Pensive Weeds: When native plants & flower arrangements come together |
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One of our great business partners, Pensive Weeds is a full-service floral and landscape design company that offers flower arrangements and sustainable landscape designs with a special focus on locally sourced and native plants. Tania Gindilis, the owner of Pensive Weeds, has helped us create videos that show people how they can use native plants in the Sourlands, to make beautiful arrangements, perfect for any occasion!
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Stay tuned for new videos this fall. Tania will be offering practical advice for landscaping with native plants!
Check out those videos below and visit their website today.
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How to Make a Heart-Shaped Arrangement Using Native Plants | Pensive Weeds |
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How to Make a Dried Flower Arrangement Using Native Flowers | Pensive Weeds |
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Sourland Mountain Fest Volunteers |
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Rain AND shine, our volunteers showed up. |
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This month we want to thank our wonderful and hardworking Sourland Mountain Fest volunteers!
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From planning the Fest to setting up, helping musicians and vendors carry equipment, pouring drinks, diverting traffic, and more, this event would not be possible without every single one of our volunteers.
Thank you, everyone!
ï»żWe are so thankful for every single one of our volunteers. Please make sure to log in your volunteer hours here, so we can acknowledge your hard work!
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The original 36-acre Otto's Farm, located on the southeast corner of Montgomery and Wertsville Roads, was the first property preserved in 1996 with Hillsborough's dedicated Open Space tax. In 1998 the adjacent 49-acre Fitzgerald property was added as well. Both purchases were leveraged with Green Acres and Somerset County Partnership Grants. This 140-acre park was named after Otto Paersche, whose cows frequently escaped his field in the 1970s-1980s.
The preserve's grass trails were developed by the park staff and include a stepping-stone crossing of a seasonal stream running down the hillside, bordered by a mature deciduous forest.
Otto's Farm Park is administered by Hillsborough Township and totals 2 miles of hiking trails. You can find the map here.
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Thank you to our business partners.
The Sourland Conservancy would like to thank our annual business partners for their generous support of our educational, advocacy, and stewardship initiatives.
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